Superstar Rajinikanth has finally revealed why he opposed Jayalalithaa, 30 years after the incident that sparked their feud. In a recent documentary, RMV: The Kingmaker, Rajinikanth shared his side of the story about what happened during the 100th day celebration of his film Baasha in 1995. The event was produced by RM Veerappan under Sathya Movies, and Rajinikanth's speech that day would have far-reaching consequences.
At the Baasha event in Chennai, RM Veerappan, then an AIADMK minister, was on stage with Rajinikanth. During his speech, Rajinikanth spoke out against hereditary politics, the "bomb culture" in the state, and warned that Tamil Nadu could become a "graveyard". This led to RM Veerappan being dropped from the government by Jayalalithaa, with whom he had a strained relationship.
Rajinikanth expressed remorse over RM Veerappan's situation and called him the next day to apologize. However, RMV reportedly told him not to worry about it, saying, "Don't lose your self-respect. I don't need any position; I'm not attached to it." This incident had a profound impact on Rajinikanth, who later strongly opposed Jayalalithaa politically. In fact, he credits this incident as one of the main reasons for his opposition, praising RM Veerappan's "kingmaker" skills, wisdom, and humility.¹
Rajinikanth's revelation sheds light on the complex dynamics of Tamil Nadu's politics and film industry, where alliances and rivalries often blur the lines between art and politics. The documentary provides a unique glimpse into the past, offering insights into the events that shaped Rajinikanth's views on politics and his relationship with Jayalalithaa.